Haute-Savoie has some very beautiful small villages, but also some large towns. You will find all the practical information you need if you want to visit the 10 most populated towns of the department during your holidays.
Annemasse
Annemasse is the second most populated town in the department and borders Switzerland. From Annemasse you can access the Mont Salève by cable car. It is 45 kilometres from the town of Annecy. From Annemasse you can discover the Arve Valley.
Rumilly
This small town is located 20 kilometres from Annecy. The Téfal company is located in Rumilly and a factory shop allows you to make good deals on the brand’s products. We advise you to take advantage of its large karting circuit.
Chamonix
This world-famous town, considered the capital ofmountaineering, is located at the foot of Europe’s highest peak: Mont Blanc. A skier’s paradise in winter, Chamonix has many exceptional sites to visit all year round: the sea of ice, the Mont Blanc tramway, Lake Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi.
Evian-les-Bains
This pretty spa town is located in the north of the department. The town ofEvian is world famous for its mineral water. Its golf course offers each year one of the major events of the international women’s circuit: The Evian Championship. The pedestrian zone offers a pleasant stroll.
Thonon-les-Bains
Located just before Evian, the town of Thonon-les-Bains is also a spa town that produces the water of the same name. Fountains allow visitors to fill a few bottles of this mineral water. We recommend a visit to its port, which provides lake connections on Lake Geneva with the Swiss city of Lausanne.
Cluses
From the town of Cluses, you can take the road to Chamonix to discover the Mont Blanc massif. It is also the starting point to reach the magnificent ski resort of Flaine. Cluses is also the capital of the French screw-cutting industry.
Gaillard
Situated between Annemasse and Saint Julien, the town of Gaillard borders Geneva and many of its inhabitants work in Switzerland.
La Roche-sur-Foron
The medieval town of La Roche-sur-Foron is 20 kilometres from Annecy and Geneva. You can visit the Tour des Contes de Genève and walk the many marked trails in the area.
Megève
Located in the Mont Blanc region, this typical Haute-Savoie town is one of the symbols of French luxury. Numerous cultural and sporting activities are organised in Megève throughout the year.
Passy
The commune of Passy has a winter sports resort called Plaine-Joux. It is located in the canton of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, at an altitude of over 2,880 metres.
Sallanches
The town of Sallanches is the last major town before accessing the Chamonix road which, with the Mont Blanc tunnel, allows access to Italy. This town is the headquarters of the Dynastar ski manufacturing company.
Bonneville
Located about 20 km from Annecy, the town of Bonneville is home to many companies such as Somfy and Bosch. You can visit historical monuments such as the Château de Bonneville, the Château de Tour and the Château de Cormand.
Saint Julien-en-Genevois
Bordering Switzerland, the town of Saint-Julien-en-Genevois is an entry point to Geneva. The scouts have a mixed group called “Saint Pierre et Paul en Genevois”.
Savoie
Chambéry
The capital of Savoie is a city of great historical wealth. Chambéry was the capital of the sovereign state of Savoy. It is home to the Savoie-Mont-Blanc University. Many hikes are possible in the Bauges massif and the Chartreuse massif.
Aix-les-Bains
The spa town ofAix-les-Bains is located on the shores of Lake Bourget, the largest lake in France. It has many cultural activities such as the Musilac Festival. By taking the boat from the port, you can visit the Royal Abbey of Haute-Combe.